Growth and Operational Capabilities of the Turboprop Engine

In addition to possessing inherent characteristics of operational smoothness, long life, and high reliability, the turboprop engine has the extremely desirable feature of large growth capability in a given frame size. Whereas the reciprocating engine has been growth limited for many years, we can anticipate a large growth in power from today's engines by increasing turbine inlet temperature, improved component efficiencies, and increased engine specific flow. Considerable activity is taking place in the areas of high temperature materials, cooling of turbines and other hot end parts, and on compressor and turbine developments.

This paper highlights some of this activity.